Rajasthan Trip| Day -3 and 4 | Udaipur City Tour |

Udaipur City Tour

Day - 3

As told in the previous blog, we reached Udaipur at 3:30pm, had lunch and rested till 6:00pm.

Udaipur City

1. Karni Mata Temple

Google Location:-  Deen Dayal Park, Doodh Talai, Rajasthan 313001 

The Karni Mata Temple is located very much near the center of Udaipur City. It is around 24 km away from Udaipur Airport, and just 4 km from Udaipur City railway station and Udaipur City Bus Depot. Visitors can also take local Tongas, auto-rickshaws, and taxis to reach Doodh Talai. Karni Mata Temple can be reached via ropeway. Its a 16th-century old temple dedicated to Shri Manshapurna Karni Mata located at hill-top of Machla Magra Hills near Doodh Talai Lake. It enshrines the stone idol of Karni Mata. One can have a very beautiful view of the whole city and its lakes from the temple as well as while climbing. The walk is pollution-free as no vehicles can enter the hill boundary. 

The ropeway on the other hand not only offers a simple and comfortable means of reaching the temple in only five minutes but also provides a spectacular view of the surroundings as well. The 387 meters ropeway cable line that runs from Deendayal Upadhyay Park to Karni Mata Temple at hilltop also happens to be the first ropeway transportation of Rajasthan. Each of the cable cars, which are referred to as Gondolas, can accommodate six people for one trip, and six more on its trip back, the line is bidirectional. If you visit during the evening, at around 6 to 7:30 PM, you might even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a beautiful sunset from the cable cars.

We reached there by 6:30pm. I took our ticket for the ropeway and had to wait 20min for our turn to sit in the ropeway as it was crowded. I am very much afraid of heights, I kept my eyes closed throughout the ride. on the other hand, my family enjoyed the view from the ropeway and made a lot of fun of me. The view of the city is amazing from the top. Here are some of the pictures.

Came down by 7:30, and went towards lake Pichola Boat ride point. 

2. Lake Pichola

Google Address:- 313001, Pichola, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001

Named after the nearby village Picholi, Lake Pichola is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Udaipur. Flanked by islands, palaces, temples, mansions, ghats and restaurants, Lake Pichola offers something for everyone. The enchanting views of sunrise and sunset from the lake is something that should not be missed by anyone visiting the lake.Mesmerizing the visitors with its charm and enchanting beauty, Lake Pichola is an artificial lake built in the year 1362 AD and one of the popular sightseeing places to visit in Udaipur. It was built by a Banjara tribesman, Pichhu Banjara who used to transport grain during the reign of Maharana Lakha. The captivating lake attracted Maharana Udai Singh so much that he established the city of Udaipur on the banks of this very lake. Maharana Udai Singh is credited with enlarging the lake further by building a dam on the shore of the lake. Later, several islands, palaces, temples, mansions, and bathing ghats were developed in the surroundings of the lake over a period of time, making it even more attractive. One of the most famous attractions in the lake surroundings is Lake Palace that sits right in the middle of the lake, constructed on the Jag island. Mohan Mandir, built by Jagat Singh between the period 1628-1652 and Jag Mandir are other islands that are worth a visit. City Palace is another famous tourist attraction in the lake surroundings from where boats ply to other parts of the lake from Bansi Ghat. Arsi Vilas which is a bird sanctuary and Sitamata Game Sanctuary on the western part of the lake are other attractions around the lake. Ornamental arch bridges at various locations further beautify the lake. These bridges are built at places where the lake narrows so that the water can reach the banks.The place was very much crowded and we could not find a place to sit. So we decided to leave and move

3. Fateh Sagar Lake

Google Address:- Fateh Sagar Lake, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001

Situated in the north of Lake Pichola right across the Moti Magri Hill, Lake Fatehsagar is the second largest artificial lake. Surrounded by the high Aravalli hills on three sides and Pratap Memorial on the north side, the lake is considered as the pride of Udaipur. According to the historical information, in 1888, the first lake got washed away due to floods. This is the time when Maharana Fateh Singh came to the rescue and ordered to construct a dam which is now known as the Connaught Bund or embankment. The 800-meter long dam was built on the eastern side of the lake. In the medieval era, the cost of the renovation was 6 lakh rupees which were incurred by the king. The dam is still considered the second most significant source of drinking water for people in Udaipur. Therefore, the lake has been named Lake Fatehsagar to honor the generosity of king, Maharana Fateh Singh.

You can find street food all around that place. We had chaat. Enjoyed the view and atmosphere. Later around 9:30pm left for our hotel. 

Day - 4

We woke up around 7:00am. Had our breakfast and checked out from the hotel around 9:30am.

1. Udaipur City Palace

Google Address:- Old City, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001

Built on the banks of Lake Pichola, the City Palace in Udaipur is considered to be the largest royal complex in Rajasthan. The magnificent palace was built in the year 1559 by Maharana Uday Singh and served as the main seat of power, where the Maharanas lived and administered the kingdom from. Subsequently, the palace was made even more splendid by his successors, who added a number of structures to it. The Palace now has an assortment of Mahals, courtyards, pavilions, corridors, terraces, rooms and hanging gardens. There is a museum here as well that showcases some of the finest elements of Rajput arts and culture - from colorful paintings to the typical architecture found in Rajasthani palaces.

Udaipur city palace is a very interesting place. Cameras are not allowed in some parts. Crystal Gallery is also very attractive. If you visit it do visit all the places in the palace. And don't be in a hurry. It's a very big area and requires a lot of time to explore properly. 

Then we went some snacks at famous South Indian restaurant and headed towards Sajjangarh fort.

2. Sajjangarh Fort / Monsson Palace 

Google Address:- 11monsoon colony, Sajjan Garh Rd, near Mewar Garh hotel, Eklavya Colony, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001

Its 10 Km away from the city so there are not much of tourists. Its a great place to be but nothing much to do or visit. Most parts of the palace are closed for tourists and not in good shape. The view from the top is amazing. And if you love to drive, then the roads going to the top are very good. 

Coming from the ravages of time, Sajjangarh Fort is a magnificent and stunning palace built on the Aravalli hilltop. Built-in 1884, the Sajjangarh Palace is a palatial residence of Maharana Sajjan Singh. The Palace overlooks a breathtaking view of the Lake Fateh Sagar, City Palace, and the King’s ancestral home, Chittorgarh. Located on a Bansdara peak of Aravalli hill (3100 ft above sea level), Sajjangarh Palace is built with stunning white marble. As per the plan laid out by Maharana Sajjan Singh, the Palace was supposed to be nine stories, but due to the premature death of the King, the planned was shelved. However, it was later completed by Maharana Fateh Singh, his successor. The Royal family used the Sajjangarh Palace as a hunting lodge as well as to watch the monsoon clouds which brought the name of Monsoon Palace to the Sajjangarh Palace. The construction of the Monsoon Palace/ Sajjangarh Fort & Palace began under the command of Maharana Sajjan Singh. Maharana Sajjan Singh was an influential thinker, developer and a short-lived ruler of Mewar dynasty. Even though he ruled for ten years only (from 1874-1884), he made an extraordinary contribution in preserving and establishing the glory and culture of the Udaipur City. His civil works included construction of dams and roads, water supply and infrastructural developments

You can also visit Vintage car house, Jagdish Temple and many other small gardens and palaces.

Heading towards Bhilwara

We also wanted to go to Haldi Ghati but due to lack of time,we dropped that plan and decided to head towards Bhilwara where my friend's marriage was. We left from Udaipur around 2:30pm. 

Took NH758 followed by NH58. The road is very good and smooth. My car gave an average of 26kmpl for 160km between Udaipur and Bhilwara. 

We reached Bhilwara around 6:00pm, Checked into hotel around 7:00pm. I texted my friend. All the Best and Sorry, But he still did not reply. I was very excited to meet him the next day.  We had our dinner and then slept. 

Next Blog will be about surprising my friend and return from Bhilwara to Vadodara.

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